Hikers trapped overnight in Eaton Canyon are rescued

Two hikers stranded overnight were rescued Monday from a cliff above Eaton Canyon.

Two hikers trapped overnight on a cliff about 1,000 feet above Eaton Canyon were safely escorted out by an Altadena Mountain Rescue team late Monday morning, authorities said.

The Altadena rescue crew began their search around 8 p.m. Sunday, but they were not able to trek to where the hikers were trapped due to rough terrain and darkness, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

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Authorities called for a Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter to pull the hikers off the cliff around 11 p.m., but their operation was halted due to cloud cover.

Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies escort two people after the hikers were rescued from a cliff above Eaton Canyon on Oct. 17. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

"Crews are getting rained on now," the Altadena station tweeted early Monday. "Hikers are not injured, but too dangerous to hike out in dark. We will stay on mountain till they are out."

Helicopter crews had planned to resume their rescue effort once conditions cleared up, but the hikers — a man and a woman — along with the rescue team walked out the way they went in, the Sheriff's Department said. No injuries were reported.

Officials said the two were stranded in a closed trail where hikers aren't allowed. The path was once popular for its sweeping views and scenery, but was shut down because it is very steep and some hikers fell off the trail.